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Mass Extinctions in Earth History

CONCEPTUAL
ScienceDinosaurs & Paleontology|Ages 12—14|ID: mt_IP0PTVfTXp

Compare the five major mass extinction events in Earth history (End-Ordovician, Late Devonian, End-Permian, End-Triassic, K-Pg), describe proposed kill mechanisms for each (glaciation, oceanic anoxia, volcanic mega-eruptions, asteroid impact), and explain why mass extinctions, while catastrophic, also open ecological space for subsequent evolutionary radiations

Mastery Evidence

  • Names all five major mass extinctions in chronological order with approximate dates
  • Describes the End-Permian extinction as the most severe and links it to the Siberian Traps volcanic eruption and its atmospheric consequences
  • Explains how each mass extinction was followed by an adaptive radiation — e.g. the K-Pg extinction removing non-avian dinosaurs allowed mammals to diversify and eventually produce humans

Assessment Prompt

“Can [child] explain that the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs was actually the fifth mass extinction in Earth history — and describe what happened in the worst one, which killed over 90% of all species?”

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